Dismissed at 10-1 and returning from an 11-week layoff, Dougs Fame scored in a sizzling 1:51.1 — the fastest mile of the year at The Meadows — in Tuesday’s
$25,000 Preferred Handicap Pace.
Sitting second down the backside, Dougs Fame and Dave Palone confidently brushed past the leader Hennessy Hanover and opened up four lengths which was just enough to hold on by a nose over a charging Mystery Chase. Western Bay finished third.
Ronnie Burke trains the five-year-old son of Apaches Fame-Armbro Vertical who extended his career bankroll to $314,976 for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables LLC and W W Haas Jr.
The card also featured two $15,000 opening-leg divisions of the Wheel of Fortune, an early-closing series for three and four-year-old colt and gelding pacers.
Foolish Attempt captured his split with a sweeping three-wide move for Brett Miller that carried him to victory in a career best clocking of 1:55. Up Front Mustang, who was parked the entire mile, raced gamely to be second, with early leader Big Native third. Jim Rothfuss trains and owns Foolish Attempt, a four-year-old I Am A Fool-Keystone Musical gelding.
Expensive Toy took his Wheel of Fortune division with a similar move, shedding backside cover early and nailing the pacesetting Double Dribble at the wire in a personal best clocking of 1:55.1. I Like It Hot was a ground-saving third. Clay Faurot, Jr. drove, trains and owns the three-year-old gelded son of Camotion-Costly Toy.
In a $30,000 claiming race, Southwind Go Go Go and State Of The Union crossed the wire together in 1:51.4 – the fastest dead heat ever at The Meadows. The pair broke the 2003 record of 1:52.3 established by Brads Gold and Western Millenium. Tony Hall piloted Southwind Go Go Go for trainer Kris Rickert and owner Dale Wareham while Palone handled State Of The Union for trainer Tammy Cummings and Double Up Stable.
Dave Palone had a banner day at the office thanks to a six-win performance. His purse haul for the afternoon pushed his lifetime earnings in excess of $82 million.
(The Meadows)